Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in Sierra County, California

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

Sierra County is one of California's smallest and most remote counties. Its only courthouse is the Superior Court of California, County of Sierra, 100 Courthouse Square, 2nd Floor, Downieville, CA 95936, (530) 289-3698. Every domestic violence restraining order request in the county is filed there. Before you assume you can file online, confirm current e-filing availability with the clerk's office. Online filing was not confirmed as an option here.

There is no fee to file a domestic violence restraining order request anywhere in California. Sierra County follows that rule. The Sierra Self-Help Center, (530) 289-3698, can help you fill out Form DV-100 and the related forms at no cost, during clerk hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A judge can grant a temporary restraining order the same day you file or the next court day. A full hearing is generally set within about 21 days of that under Family Code sections 242 and 6320. The county sheriff serves the restrained person at no charge, as sheriffs do statewide. The current civil division contact for that office was not listed on the court's site, so the Self-Help Center can direct you. The Sierra Safe Program handles both rape crisis and domestic violence advocacy and can be reached at (530) 993-1237. The Sierra County District Attorney's Victim-Witness Program is another local resource.

How a domestic violence restraining order works in California

A domestic violence restraining order is for protection from someone you have a close relationship with, such as a spouse or former spouse, a partner you live with or used to live with, someone you dated, a co-parent, or a close family member. If the other person is a neighbor, coworker, or stranger, a different order called a civil harassment restraining order may apply instead. California uses the same statewide forms in every county, including Sierra County. The basic steps are:

1. File a Request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (Form DV-100), with the related forms DV-109 and DV-110, at the court. There is no filing fee.
2. A judge reviews your request, often the same day or the next court day, and can grant a temporary restraining order that lasts until your hearing.
3. The other person is served with the paperwork and can file a response (Form DV-120).
4. You attend a court hearing, usually within about three weeks.
5. If the judge grants a restraining order after the hearing, it can last up to five years and can be renewed.

A domestic violence restraining order can do more than order someone to stay away. It can set temporary child custody and visitation, order child or spousal support, require the other person to move out, and require them to turn in any firearms. Local domestic violence advocates and the court's self-help center can help you fill out the forms, often at no cost.

Where to file in Sierra County

Restraining order requests in Sierra County are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Sierra. Because courthouse locations, hours, and local domestic violence resources change over time, confirm current details using the official California Courts court finder:

Find the Sierra County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

Local notes for Sierra County

Downieville is Sierra County's only family law courthouse, so restraining order cases are heard there. Because the county is small and staffing is limited, call ahead before you drive in. Have your DV-100 request, the DV-109 notice, the DV-110 temporary order, and a CLETS-001 confidential sheet ready before you go to the courthouse. The drive can be long depending on where in the county you live.

Requesting a restraining order is not limited to asking that someone stay away from you. The same DV-100 form lets you ask for temporary custody and visitation terms, support, a move-out order for a shared home, and a firearms surrender requirement.

If you were served with a request and want to respond, use Form DV-120. The Self-Help Center can walk you through your deadlines. Because Sierra County is so small, call ahead to check hours, e-filing status, and who is currently handling restraining order intake before you drive to Downieville. The Sierra Safe Program and the District Attorney's Victim-Witness Program are both local options for advocacy and support outside the courthouse itself.

Official restraining order resources in Sierra County

Superior Court of California, County of Sierra handles restraining-orders filings, located at 100 Courthouse Square, 2nd Floor, Downieville 95936. Phone: (530) 289-3698.

The filing fee is $0 (no fee for DV-100 restraining order requests). Confirm current e-filing availability with the clerk's office.

Sierra Self-Help Center (https://www.sierra.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork.

• Superior Court of California, County of Sierra
• Sierra County domestic violence restraining order info
• Sierra Self-Help Center
• Form DV-100 (Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order)
• California Courts Self-Help: Domestic Violence Restraining Order

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Sierra County Restraining Order FAQs